Is it crazy to start thinking about the next year? I don’t think so. I hate to break it to you but there are only 100 days until Christmas, which means there are only a few more days than that until 2022. Yes, I know. Anyway, the reason I’m writing about the coming new year is that I’m thinking about new trends and in particular jewellery trends for 2022. Ever since the pandemic started and we were hooked to our computers and Zoom meetings, various luxury outlets reported a rise in sales of jewellery but in particular fine jewellery that’s great for wearing everyday. The idea being that people wanted to elevate their more casual WFH looks with chic necklaces and earrings—the Zoom-friendly options.
In 2021, however, Gen Z jewellery trends started to take off. A proliferation of plastic-y Y2K-inspired pieces became the items du jour. Pastel hues on necklaces reminiscent of sweetie necklaces you used to get from the corner shop, puka shell anklets and necklaces, plus resin and mood rings have been everywhere this year. So with 2020’s and 2021’s jewellery trends almost at opposite ends of the spectrum, what’s in store for 2022? I spoke to a couple of jewellery experts to get a good understanding of what to expect. Former head buyer at ASOS, Jayran Zahedi and founder of uber-cool jewellery brand @pawnshoplondon, and Sophie Quy, executive vice-president at Threads Styling, both told me that there are a few styles they predict will be big. Keep scrolling for 2022’s biggest jewellery trends.
It’s unsurprising that the ’70s has made its way into our jewellery boxes, considering it’s been such a big inspiration on the runways for the past few seasons. Zahedi, who’s an avid collector of vintage jewellery, tells me that she’s seen a lot of people keen on the ‘thrifty’ trends look and nostalgia features heavily, such as ’70s charms.
This trend I’ve spotted already bubbling up among the Gen Z crowd but Zahedi confirmed it too telling me that this one of the biggest sellers on Pawn Shop, saying that the more “Elizabeth Duke-inspired” pieces are doing the best.
Perhaps the opposite of the plastic jewellery trend is this: the large, stone-set rings. This look is all about multiple stones set in a large ring, essentially. Quy says “designers are starting to go big with the stones they’re using making bolder designs, often set in bigger statement pieces”.
Carrying on the above theme, necklaces are also getting the super-sized treatment. Quy cites Harwell Godfrey’s “amazing new pendants”, Jaquie AIche’s eye pendants and Bayco’s mega cuffs as pieces to invest in. She also says to look out for “really fun big pieces with colourful stones, emeralds, opals and coloured sapphires”.
According to recent stats from Lyst, the global shopping platform, Zodiac jewellery is seeing a major increase. Demand for zodiac jewellery is up 29%, with necklaces being the most popular.
The personalisation theme continues with the nameplate necklaces, with Lyst revealing that demand for “letter” and “nameplate” necklaces has increased 36%. And what with the return of Carrie Bradshaw, I can imagine this category is going to be even more popular once And Just Like That… airs.
Next up, the biggest autumn/winter 2021 fashion trends to know.
